Government out of Chrysler, out $1.3B
The federal bailout of Chrysler likely cost taxpayers $1.3 billion, CNNMoney.com reported.
Of the $12.5 billion committed to Chrysler as part of the government’s Troubled Asset Relief Program bailout program in 2009, $11.2 billion has been returned through principal repayments, interest and canceled commitments, according to the Treasury Department.
The government sold its remaining 6 percent stake in the company to Fiat, which paid the Treasury a total of $560 million for the shares, as well as rights to shares held by the United Auto Workers retiree trust.
In May, Chrysler paid back $5.1 billion in loans. Though $1.3 billion will not be recovered, in part due to the fact that Chrysler reduced interest by returning the bailout funds earlier than 2017, the Treasury called it a “major accomplishment.”
“With today’s closing, the U.S. government has exited its investment in Chrysler at least six years earlier than expected,” said Tim Massad, Treasury assistant secretary for financial stability.